KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I has issued show-cause notice to M/s Pak Armoring for allegedly trying to evade tax and duties through mis-declaring the value of amour ballistic plates.

The Adjudication-I has asked the importer to appear before it to explain as to why legal action should not be taken against it for trying to deprive the national exchequer of millions of rupees of duties and taxes.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs’ Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation had received the information that M/s Pak Armoring involved in import and clearance of steel plate (Amour Ballistic Plate) of prime quality of France origin through mis-declaration of actual value shown in the letter of credit and fabrication of import documents.

“The source further intimated the authorities that one such consignment imported by the importer is lying at KICT West Wharf, which has been cleared on the basis of fake/fabricated commercial invoice.”

In pursuance of the information, enquires were conducted and a container was identified through WeBOC system and it transpired that M/s Pak Armoring Ltd field GD for clearance of steel plate of prime quality 06.50mm (110pcs) and steel plate prime quality 04.20(10pcs) weighing 27.680 MT, declaring the total value of amounting to US$ 15, 895, 80 (equivalent to Rs1, 752,917).

However, the customs authorities said the value of imported item was much higher than the declared value. The importer, therefore, tried to deprive the natural exchequer of its revenue to the tune of millions of rupees.